Quick Answer
Flat bottom bag features include resealable zippers, degassing valves, clear windows, tear notches, hang holes, and various finishing options. The right combination depends on your product type, shelf life requirements, and brand positioning.
Key Features:
• Resealable Zippers - Keep products fresh after opening
• Degassing Valves - Essential for coffee, releases CO2 while blocking oxygen
• Clear Windows - Increase product visibility and purchase intent by 25%
• Tear Notches - Easy-open functionality for consumer convenience
• Premium Finishes - Matte, gloss, soft touch, hot stamp foil
Best For: Coffee, tea, snacks, pet food, supplements, and any product requiring extended freshness and premium presentation.
Table of Contents
1. Why Features Matter for Flat Bottom Bags
2. Resealable Zipper Options
3. Degassing Valves Explained
4. Window Design Options
5. Tear Notches & Easy-Open Features
6. Hang Holes & Retail Display Features
7. Printing & Finishing Options
8. Feature Selection by Product Type
9. How to Order Custom Features
10. FAQ
1. Why Features Matter for Flat Bottom Bags
The right features transform a simple packaging bag into a powerful marketing and preservation tool. According to industry research, 73% of consumers prefer resealable packaging, and products with clear windows see 25% higher purchase rates compared to fully opaque packaging.
Features serve three primary purposes:
Purpose | Features | Benefits |
Product Protection | Valves, zippers, barrier materials | Extended shelf life, freshness retention |
Consumer Convenience | Tear notches, sliders, pour spouts | Easy opening, resealability, portability |
Brand Differentiation | Windows, finishes, special printing | Shelf appeal, premium perception |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
Pro Tip: Combining 2-3 complementary features typically delivers the best value. For example, zipper + window + matte finish creates an excellent package for premium snacks at reasonable additional cost.
2. Resealable Zipper Options
Resealable zippers are the most requested feature for flat bottom bags, with over 80% of food packaging now including some form of reclosure mechanism. The right zipper type depends on your product, target market, and price point.
Zipper Types Comparison
Zipper Type | Description | Best For | Added Cost |
Press-to-Close | Standard interlocking zipper | Snacks, dry goods, pet treats | $0.01-0.02/bag |
Slider Zipper | Easy-glide slider mechanism | Premium products, elderly users | $0.03-0.05/bag |
Child-Resistant | Push-squeeze-slide mechanism | Cannabis, supplements, medicines | $0.05-0.10/bag |
Pocket Zipper | Recessed, hidden design | Clean aesthetics, luxury brands | $0.02-0.04/bag |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
Pro Tip: For coffee packaging, combine a press-to-close zipper with a tin-tie for double protection. This allows daily resealing while keeping the bag securely closed between uses.
3. Degassing Valves Explained
Degassing valves are one-way pressure release mechanisms essential for freshly roasted coffee and other gas-releasing products. Without a valve, CO2 buildup can cause bags to burst or compromise seal integrity.
How Degassing Valves Work
Fresh coffee releases CO2 for up to 2 weeks after roasting. The valve allows this gas to escape while preventing oxygen from entering, maintaining freshness for 6-12 months instead of just weeks.
Valve Specification | Standard | Premium |
Diameter | 15mm | 20mm |
Opening Pressure | 1.0-1.5 kPa | 0.5-1.0 kPa |
Flow Rate | 200 ml/min | 400 ml/min |
Added Cost | $0.02-0.03/bag | $0.04-0.05/bag |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
Products Requiring Valves
Beyond coffee, several other products benefit from degassing valves:
Product | Why Valve is Needed |
Fresh Roasted Coffee | Releases CO2 for 2+ weeks after roasting |
Fermented Foods | Kimchi, sauerkraut continue fermenting |
Fresh Ground Spices | Essential oils release gases |
Specialty Teas | Certain teas off-gas after processing |
Pro Tip: Position valves in the upper third of the bag for optimal gas release. For retail display, place valves on the back panel to maintain clean front aesthetics.
4. Window Design Options
Windows allow customers to see the product inside, building trust and increasing purchase intent. Studies show products with windows have 25% higher conversion rates than fully opaque packaging.
Window Shapes and Placement
Window Type | Characteristics | Best For |
Oval Window | Classic, soft appearance | Tea, coffee, premium foods |
Rectangle Window | Modern, maximum visibility | Snacks, granola, trail mix |
Full Front Window | Complete product view | Artisan products, gifts |
Die-Cut Shape | Custom brand shapes | Brand differentiation |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
Window Material Options
Window materials must balance clarity, durability, and barrier properties:
Material | Clarity | Barrier | Cost |
Clear PET | Excellent | Good | $ |
BOPP | Very Good | Moderate | $ |
Clear EVOH | Good | Excellent | $$ |
Pro Tip: For light-sensitive products like tea and spices, consider a smaller window size or UV-protective film to balance visibility with product protection.
5. Tear Notches & Easy-Open Features
Tear notches provide controlled opening points that make packages easy to open without scissors while preventing accidental tearing during handling.
Tear Feature Options
Feature | Description | Application |
V-Notch | Simple V-cut on edge, cost-effective | Single-use products |
Laser Score | Precise laser-cut line, clean tear | Premium packaging |
Euro Slot + Tear | Hang hole with integrated tear | Retail display products |
Pull Tab | Easy-grip opening tab | Elderly/accessibility focus |
Tear notches add minimal cost ($0.005-0.01 per bag) while significantly improving user experience. Position notches above the zipper line to enable resealing after opening.
6. Hang Holes & Retail Display Features
Hang holes enable vertical retail display, maximizing shelf visibility and making products easier for customers to browse. They're essential for convenience store and impulse purchase positioning.
Hang Hole Options
Type | Description | Weight Capacity |
Round Hole | Standard circular punch | Up to 500g |
Euro Slot | Elongated slot, standard hooks | Up to 1kg |
Butterfly Hole | Reinforced design | Up to 2kg |
Delta Hole | Triangular, tear-resistant | Up to 1.5kg |
Pro Tip: For products over 500g, add a reinforced hang hole area or use a butterfly hole design to prevent tearing during retail display.
7. Printing & Finishing Options
Surface finishes and special printing effects can elevate your packaging from functional to premium. The right combination creates instant shelf appeal and communicates product quality.
Surface Finish Comparison
Finish | Characteristics | Best For | Added Cost |
Matte Lamination | Soft touch, anti-fingerprint | Organic, premium, natural | $0.01-0.02/bag |
Gloss Lamination | High shine, vivid colors | Retail, consumer products | $0.01-0.015/bag |
Soft Touch | Velvet texture, luxury feel | High-end, gift products | $0.02-0.04/bag |
Special Effects
Effect | Description | Added Cost |
Hot Stamp Foil | Metallic gold, silver, or colored foil accents | $0.03-0.08/bag |
Embossing | Raised texture for logos and text | $0.02-0.05/bag |
Spot UV | Glossy highlights on matte background | $0.02-0.04/bag |
Holographic | Rainbow effect for anti-counterfeit | $0.05-0.10/bag |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
Pro Tip: The winning combination for premium products: Matte finish + Spot UV on logo + Gold foil accent. This creates sophisticated shelf presence at approximately $0.08-0.12 additional cost per bag.
8. Feature Selection by Product Type
Different products require different feature combinations. Here's our expert recommendation matrix based on thousands of successful packaging projects:
Product | Zipper | Valve | Window | Tear Notch | Finish | Priority |
Coffee | Yes | Essential | Optional | Yes | Matte | High |
Tea | Yes | Optional | Yes | Yes | Kraft/Matte | High |
Snacks | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Gloss | High |
Pet Food | Heavy | No | Optional | Yes | Matte | High |
Supplements | Child-Resist | No | No | Optional | Matte | Essential |
Nuts | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Kraft/Matte | High |
![Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons Flat Bottom Bag Features & Add-ons]()
9. How to Order Custom Features
Ordering flat bottom bags with custom features is straightforward with Sunkey Packaging. Here's the process:
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 | Define Requirements - Product type, bag size, quantity needed |
Step 2 | Select Features - Choose from zipper, valve, window, finish options |
Step 3 | Request Quote - Contact us with specifications for custom pricing |
Step 4 | Approve Sample - Review physical sample before production |
Step 5 | Production - 15-25 days lead time for custom orders |
MOQ & Lead Time by Feature
Feature Type | MOQ | Lead Time |
Standard Zipper | 5,000 pcs | 15-20 days |
Degassing Valve | 5,000 pcs | 15-20 days |
Window (standard shape) | 5,000 pcs | 15-20 days |
Custom Window Shape | 10,000 pcs | 20-25 days |
Hot Stamp Foil | 10,000 pcs | 20-25 days |
Child-Resistant Zipper | 10,000 pcs | 20-25 days |
10. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What features are essential for coffee packaging?
For coffee, a degassing valve is essential (not optional). Fresh roasted coffee releases CO2 for 2 weeks after roasting, and without a valve, bags can burst or seals can fail. We also recommend a resealable zipper for freshness after opening and matte finish for premium appeal. A window is optional but can showcase bean quality.
Q2: How much do additional features cost?
Feature costs vary but typically add $0.02-0.15 per bag total. A standard zipper adds $0.01-0.02, a valve adds $0.02-0.05, a window adds $0.01-0.03, and premium finishes add $0.02-0.08. Volume discounts apply for orders over 50,000 pieces.
Q3: Can I combine multiple features on one bag?
Absolutely! Most of our customers use 2-4 features per bag. Common combinations include zipper + valve + matte finish for coffee, zipper + window + gloss for snacks, and child-resistant zipper + matte + tamper seal for supplements. Our team can recommend the optimal combination for your product.
Q4: What's the MOQ for bags with custom features?
Standard features (zipper, valve, window) have a 5,000 piece MOQ. Custom features like die-cut windows, hot stamp foil, or child-resistant closures require 10,000 pieces minimum. For new customers testing the market, we offer sample runs of 1,000-2,000 pieces at slightly higher per-unit costs.
Q5: Do windows affect product shelf life?
Standard clear windows provide good but not complete barrier protection. For oxygen-sensitive products, we recommend smaller window sizes or pairing windows with high-barrier materials. Our EVOH-coated windows provide excellent barrier while maintaining visibility. For maximum shelf life on sensitive products, consider a small oval window rather than full-front transparency.
Q6: Which zipper type is best for pet food bags?
For pet food bags, especially those over 1kg, we recommend heavy-duty press-to-close zippers with a wider profile (12mm vs standard 8mm). These handle the stress of daily opening/closing with heavier contents. For premium pet food, slider zippers offer an excellent user experience.
Q7: Can you add features to my existing design?
Yes! If you already have artwork, we can integrate features like windows, zipper placement zones, and valve areas into your design. Our design team will adjust the layout to accommodate functional elements while maintaining your brand aesthetics. There's no additional design fee for feature integration.
Q8: How do I request a sample with specific features?
Contact our sales team with your product specifications and desired features. We can provide stock samples with similar features for evaluation, or create custom samples for a small fee (typically $50-100) that's credited toward your first order. Sample lead time is 7-10 days.
Related Articles
• What Is A Flat Bottom Bag?
• Flat Bottom Bags for Coffee Packaging
• Flat Bottom Bags for Tea & Herbs
• Flat Bottom Bag Materials Guide
• How to Order Custom Flat Bottom Bags